Need advice: Budget amp and DAC for Monitor Audio Bronze 50 (6G)

[Zabava]

Hi everyone - when Monitor Audio released the 7th series, the 6th was on sale, so I bought a pair of Monitor Audio Bronze 50 (6G) for €250. Right now I can't afford a proper AVR, stereo receiver, or an amp + DAC plus the cables, but I can put aside about €200 for a cheap solution that just works. My plan is to start simple and add/upgrade components over time.

I'll be connecting the speakers to a PC (motherboard: ASUS PRIME A520M-K), so I'm looking for recommendations for an inexpensive amp, an affordable DAC and budget cables.

Current ideas:

DAC: SMSL SU-1
Amp: Fosi Audio V3
Cables: (looking for suggestions)

I could also wait and save up for a WiiM Amp or the Pro, but I'm not sure how I'd hook it up to my PC — would using a 2×RCA to banana-plug connection hurt the sound quality?

Are there any other cheap options you’d recommend?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @Zabava! Welcome to ASR.

I could also wait and save up for a WiiM Amp or the Pro, but I'm not sure how I'd hook it up to my PC

The easiest solution for the WiiMs would be PC -> Hifime UT23/Cubilux SPDIF Converter/SMSL PO100 2024 -> Optical -> WiiM Amp.

would using a 2×RCA to banana-plug connection hurt the sound quality?

Depends. Which componens would you connect using such a cable?

 

[Power Pop 23]

Welcome to ASR !

The SMSL SU-1 and Fosi Audio V3 are good 'budget' choices

You will not need a special brand of cables


I like the idea of saving up for a WiiM Amp or WiiM Amp Pro - either would give you the option to apply room correction

A USB to Optical converter could allow you to connect your motherboard to most WiiM devices - I am not familiar with them.

USB A to TOSLINK Optical Audio Adapter-Black

HIGHLIGHT [Instantly Connect your USB A Devices to S/PDIF Sound System] – Cubilux USB A to S/PDIF Optical Audio Converter lets you easily connect your USB Type A laptop, computer or gaming console with sound bar, home audio system, external DAC, amplifier, preamp or speaker to enjoy lossless...

www.cubilux.com

 

[Zabava]

Thank you for the welcome!

Depends. Which componens would you connect using such a cable?

I meant that I wanted to connect the WiiM Amp or WiiM Amp Pro to my computer, but the motherboard doesn’t have a Toslink port.

 

[RandomEar]

You can just use a 3.5 mm jack to 2xRCA cable to connect the amp. Onboard audio is usually around CD quality (+-10 dB) concerning distortion and noise ([1], [2]), so RCA is totally fine for that. You can potentially run into ground loops and other noise on the ground connection, though. That's somewhat common with PCs. In that case, the USB to S/PDIF adapter mentioned by @Power Pop 23 is a good workaround. It isolates the ground on your amp from the ground on your PC and prevents any noise from "traveling" to the amp.

 

[staticV3]

I meant that I wanted to connect the WiiM Amp or WiiM Amp Pro to my computer, but the motherboard doesn’t have a Toslink port.

Banana plugs are strictly for WiiM Speaker output->Speakers.

You cannot connect a computer or other source device to the WiiM's Banana jacks.

If you have some other Amp with Banana outputs, then you definitely should not connect its output to the WiiM's RCA input using Banana to RCA adapters.

Banana is always high level speaker output. Do not feed that into the Line input of another device.

 

[Zabava]

I bought an SMSL SU-1 DAC — it’s arriving in two days. One question remains: which amplifier? I don’t have access to the Fosi Audio V3 — is there anything similar at a similar price, or should I buy a used one that’s larger?

 

[Zabava]

I managed to order the Fosi Audio V3 (48V), it’ll be here in two days.

 

[Zabava]

What’s left is the question of cheap cables (2×2m), once I save up, I’ll buy a better one. Could you please look at this site and tell me what to choose?

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-k...blovi-na-metar/qed-qx16-2-flame-retardant-wht

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-k...fi-kablovi-na-metar/qed-42-strand-cable-white

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-k...-fi-kablovi-na-metar/qed-qx16-2-outdoor-black

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-kablovi-i-konektori/hi-fi-kablovi-na-metar/qed-79-strand-white

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-kablovi-i-konektori/hi-fi-kablovi-na-metar/qed-micro

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-k...i-kablovi-na-metar/qed-qo-100w-original-white

 

[DanielT]

What’s left is the question of cheap cables (2×2m), once I save up, I’ll buy a better one. Could you please look at this site and tell me what to choose?

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-k...blovi-na-metar/qed-qx16-2-flame-retardant-wht

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-k...fi-kablovi-na-metar/qed-42-strand-cable-white

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-k...-fi-kablovi-na-metar/qed-qx16-2-outdoor-black

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-kablovi-i-konektori/hi-fi-kablovi-na-metar/qed-79-strand-white

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-kablovi-i-konektori/hi-fi-kablovi-na-metar/qed-micro

https://www.player.rs/hi-fi/hi-fi-k...i-kablovi-na-metar/qed-qo-100w-original-white

What’s left is the question of cheap cables (2×2m), once I save up, I’ll buy a better one.. then save up money for some nice luxury restaurant visits, or go to a concert.

Cables that are:

Oxygen-free copper - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

and not some copper-clad cables.

Speaker wire, CCA vs OFC

Quick question about wires and signal transmission. If I understand correctly, audio signal is AC and travels on the surface of the wire. I assume that the same principle as antenna would apply here. In that case, why is there such an obsession with the Origen free copper? Isn’t the diameter of...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Amazon Basics 12 gauge speaker cable

Usually I stick with known professional wire manufacturers (Belden, Canare, Mogami, Klotz, Van Damme, Van den Hul, and Gotham are my basic go-to’s), but I am relocating all my speakers to the opposite side of the room as my equipment and will need long speaker cable runs. So, given the cost...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Zabava]

I need a recommendation for an RCA cable to connect a DAC and an amplifier.

 

[DanielT]

I need a recommendation for an RCA cable to connect a DAC and an amplifier.

Overall, I am going to recommend the Amazon Basics and Mogami Gold. Stay away from Monoprice lest you demonstrate lower sensibility than I have in such matters!

Battle of RCA Cables: Mogami, Amazon, Monoprice

This is a review, measurements and comparison of a number of RCA cables from Mogami, Monorpice and Amazon Basics. The first two were kindly provided by a member. This is a subset of the cables tested: And details of each: Monoprice 1.5ft Premium 2 RCA Plug/2 RCA Plug M/M 22AWG Cable -...

www.audiosciencereview.com

https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Basics-Speaker-Subwoofer-Gold-Plated/dp/B01D5H8P0G

Are Dirt Cheap RCA Cables Any Good? (Video)

Video review of the "throw-away" RCA cables: Text review and discussion at: https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/recoton-rca-cable-review-ultra-cheap-cable.33473/

www.audiosciencereview.com

Edit:
BUT the cheapest cables, the most non shielded ones if they are long, if you have many connected, placed in the wrong way, together with other cables then you can be unlucky. They can then pick up noise:
(Plus other things in the sound chain plugged in that contribute to the noise storm)

Can you hear a difference between audio cables? ABX test

Following the thread https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/stereophile-and-audio-cables.53011/ I have prepared a listening test with 2 different audio cables. The cables are as dissimilar as they can be. The test files can be downloaded from https://pmacura.cz/cable1-2.zip...

www.audiosciencereview.com

But then just re-route the cables and it will be solved (in most cases)

 

[Zabava]

The amp has arrived (I ordered it online, brand new, and received a fiscal receipt and a two-year warranty in Serbia), but the power supply has a scratch in one spot (you can’t feel the scratch by touch, but the paint is chipped). Could it be that Fosi ships products like this, or was it perhaps on display in a store? It’s also possible that someone bought it online and returned it (in Serbia, there’s a legal 14-day period during which a buyer can return a product if they’re not satisfied). All the necessary cables should arrive tomorrow, so I’ll be setting up and testing the system then.

 

[Zabava]

The cables have arrived. The flat cable 2x2.5mm² fits into the speakers but not into the amplifier. Which cheap banana plugs should I buy and what size (in mm) do I need so that the cables fit into the Fosi Audio V3?

 

[DanielT]

The cables have arrived. The flat cable 2x2.5mm² fits into the speakers but not into the amplifier. Which cheap banana plugs should I buy and what size (in mm) do I need so that the cables fit into the Fosi Audio V3?

Take whichever ones you want. Either solder the cable to the banana or choose some where you screw or clamp the cable (without soldering).

Just make sure they are not too thick. It looks like the speaker connectors on your Fosi Audio V3 are tightly packed together. By thick, I mean, for example, this type/ design. The swollen bananas:

Make sure they have the ability to push your cable into them.The description of them states the maximum thickness of cable that can be squeezed into them.
The banana pin itself that you plug into your Fosi Audio V3 is standard. The Fosi Audio V3's speakers connectors fits with all banana plugs pins.

These look nice:

Banana Plugs Gold Plated Ø4mm (Pair)

These banana plugs are gold-plated for optimal resistance to corrosion and erosion. They also feature an mounting system that requires no tools.

www.audiophonics.fr

If not them, there are plenty of others you can choose from:

Banana Plugs - Audiophonics

Discover our range of banana plugs, for the design of your speaker cables.

www.audiophonics.fr

Amazon.com : banana plugs

The amp has arrived (I ordered it online, brand new, and received a fiscal receipt and a two-year warranty in Serbia), but the power supply has a scratch in one spot (you can’t feel the scratch by touch, but the paint is chipped). Could it be that Fosi ships products like this, or was it perhaps on display in a store? It’s also possible that someone bought it online and returned it (in Serbia, there’s a legal 14-day period during which a buyer can return a product if they’re not satisfied). All the necessary cables should arrive tomorrow, so I’ll be setting up and testing the system then.

Nice, you got the amp. Good luck and listen to some really nice music.

Regarding that scratch. You can of course live with it but it's annoying when you buy new stuff. You have to decide whether you want to complain to the seller or not. Nothing I can advise you on.

 

[Zabava]

Everything works.

 

[Zabava]

The speakers look much nicer without the grilles.

 

[staticV3]

The speakers look much nicer without the grilles.

Highly recommended that you put them on stands so that the tweeters are at ear height